Four Tet: Pause : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

This sweet record begins with the chattering sounds of typewriters dancing with tap shoes. A silvery jumble of acoustic guitars falls over this found sound parade, followed by a sloppy, cymbal-smashing rock beat, thus setting the tone for Pause. Producing dance-friendly sounds similar to those of fellow U.K. sample jockeys Lemon Jelly, Four Tet combine the organic nostalgia of British folk with bustling big beats and warm found sound trinkets. With a nod to the ambient acoustica of Brian Eno's latest, Drawn From Life, Pause is comforting and melodious, a shimmering record that unlike some dance music fodder, never takes itself too seriously. As influenced by British folk icons Pentangle as Missy Elliott, Four Tet drop lush finger-picking over tribal beats ("You Could Ruin My Day"), and "Scarborough Fair"-style melodies over rambling post rock rhythms ("Glue Of The World"). A twinkling pause that refreshes.

KEN MICALLEF
(September 24, 2001)